Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 40
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
जज्ञाते तौ दिते: पुत्रौ दैत्यदानववन्दितौ । हिरण्यकशिपुर्ज्येष्ठो हिरण्याक्षोऽनुजस्तत: ॥ ४० ॥
jajñāte tau diteḥ putrau daitya-dānava-vanditau hiraṇyakaśipur jyeṣṭho hiraṇyākṣo ’nujas tataḥ
Die beiden wurden als Söhne Ditis geboren und von Daityas und Dānavas verehrt. Hiraṇyakaśipu war der Ältere, Hiraṇyākṣa der Jüngere.
FAQs
They are the two sons of Diti, celebrated among the Daityas and Dānavas—Hiraṇyakaśipu being the elder and Hiraṇyākṣa the younger.
This verse introduces the birth of the two brothers: Hiraṇyakaśipu later becomes the antagonist in Lord Narasiṁha’s līlā, and Hiraṇyākṣa is connected with Lord Varāha’s līlā.
Even powerful lineages and social honor can be rooted in demoniac ambition; the Bhagavatam urges seekers to value devotion and humility over prestige and dominance.